Qantas has launched non-stop flights from Australia to Paris for the first time, just in time for the Olympic Games.
The airline’s first direct flight took off from Perth at 7.35pm on Sunday and travelled 14,264km before landing in the French capital at 6.55am on Monday.
The Perth to Paris flight, at 17 and a half hours long, is the sixth longest in the world and shaves three hours off what had previously been the quickest option.
The journey from Paris to Perth is shaved off by another two hours and 45 minutes, making the total flight time for the return flight almost six hours shorter than it had been before.
Captain Phil Paterson was in the cockpit during the first flight and announced to the cabin during takeoff that “rule number one is: don’t crash into the Eiffel Tower.”
This is the first time in 20 years that Qantas has flown to Paris and will offer four flights per week during the European summer and the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said: “AThe significant increase in passengers requesting direct, non-stop flights led the airline to expand its options.
“In recent years we have seen a significant increase in customers wanting to fly direct on long-haul routes and avoid stopovers wherever possible,” he said.
Australia’s first direct flight to Paris launched on Sunday from Perth
The 17-and-a-half-hour leg between Perth and Paris shaves three hours off the next quickest option between the cities and is the sixth longest flight in the world.
‘Our direct flights from Perth to London and Rome have some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings on our international network.
‘With these new flights, our customers will be able to depart Perth in the afternoon and arrive in Paris in time to enjoy brunch with views of the Eiffel Tower.’
Qantas now has three direct routes between Australia and Europe after launching its Perth-Rome flight in 2022 and its Perth-London flight in 2018.
Western Australia Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said 23,000 French tourists visited the state in 2023.
The new direct flight will open an additional route 75,000 seats between Europe and Perth annually.
“Not only is it an important link between WA and France, but it will also provide enhanced connections to dozens of other European destinations, boosting tourism opportunities across the region,” Ms Saffioti said.
‘Perth will be Australia’s gateway to Paris.
“Reconnecting WA with the rest of the world has been an important goal for us since borders reopened after the pandemic”
Qantas’ new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft… fly between Perth and Paris four times a week until mid-August, after which it will be reduced to three times.
The aircraft carries 236 passengers across its business class, premium economy and economy sections.
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson (centre) said customers had been demanding more long-haul non-stop flights.
Qantas Creative Director for Food, Beverage and Service Neil Perry created a French-themed menu for passengers travelling on business class.
Dinner service includes a pumpkin and ginger soup with fresh chive cream, sourdough and Pep Saya butter and fresh green leaf salad to start.
The main course is a coq au vin with bacon, mushrooms, mashed potatoes and peas, followed by a rum savarin with Chantilly cream and berries to finish.
A specially curated selection of French films will also be available across the international flight system throughout July to mark the occasion.
Qantas launched the first flights from Australia to Europe in 1947 and at the time it took four days and seven stops to get there. From Sydney to London.
The airline is looking to re-establish flights to Europe from the east coast with its ‘Project Sunrise’, which hopes to provide non-stop flights to cities other than Perth.
The Sunrise Project has been delayed by delivery and certification of aircraft, but it is expected to achieve its objective in two years.
